Sealing machine



Aug. 11, 1936. R OHLSEN ET AL 2,050,455

SEALING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 11, 1936. R. oHLsEN ET AL SEALING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1932 8 SHeets-Sheet 2 o MN" Aug. 11, 1936. R, OHLSEN ET AL 2,050,455

SEALING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 a ,gunna/U SEALING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 11, 1936. R, QHLSEN ET AL 2,050,455

SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 @en wxs.

Aug. 11, 1936. R. oHLsE-:N ET Al. 2,050,455

`SEALING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 a//f/f/W" Wg? 4? im ay J'yzz/awsz ,33% e fm ug. 11, 1936. R, OHLSEN ET AL 2,050,455

SEALING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Aug 11, 1936. R. OHLSEN ET AL .2,050,455

SEALING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1932 8 Sheets-Shet 8 m rl/HH,

it' 1L QG QQ .Patented Aug. 113, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE 2,050,455 saAuNG MACHINE Application September 18, 1932, Serial No. 833,418

44 Claims.l (Cl. 21B-25) The present invention relates in general to sealing machines. l

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a machine which will apply a gummed seal to the open edge of a folder.

Another object is to provide a machine of this character which will apply such seal irrespective of the number of times the folder is folded.

Another object is to provide a machine that will make the seal from a gummed roll of tape and apply it.

A further object is to provide mechanism for feeding a predetermined length of tape and cutting it ofl'in such manner as to form a desirable seal.

A further object is to provide mechanism for conveying the sealed folders into a pile.

A further object is to provide a sealing device of this character that is readily accessible for adjustment.

A further object is to provide means for automatically applying a predetermined amount of water to the seal so that it will stick readily -without any possibility of coming loose.

A further object is to provide means for properly timing the application of` the seal to the folders.

A still further object is to provide a machine or device of' this character that may be operated as a separate unit or as an attachment for or an integral part of well known folding machines.

Still another object is to provide a device of this. character in which the feeding power of the vfoiding mechanism lmay be employed thereby greatly simplifying the sealing machine.

' Still another object is to provide an attachment for a folding machinel which will not in any way interfere with` e normal operation of the same. l s v A still further object is provide a combined sealing and folding machin so that the sealing and folding may all be performed in one operation. There are other objects of our invention which together with the foregoing will be described in means by which the sealed folders are ing mechanism by which the tape is fed into the .sealing mechanism proper, which consists oi!k rollers for feeding the tape and watering it and mechanism foi cutting the tape in proper lengths and applying it to the edges of thefolder, and 5 fed from the machine and stacked.

.The sealing mechanism may thus employ the means for producing the folder and obtain its power therefrom. l l0 The drawings which illustrate a certain embodiment of our invention show it applied to a wellknown type of folding machine, known in the art as the "Cleveland.

It will, of course, be understood` that our inl5 vention may be readily embodied or attached to other types of folding machines. Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a so-called Cleveland folding machine with our improvedk sealing 20 machine or mechanism attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of our sealing device or mechanism proper taken along .theline2-2ofl'fig.1lookinginthedirectionof the arrows; 25

Fig.3is acrosssectionofthesametakenaiong theline 3-3ofFig.2lookinginthedirectionof the arrows;

Big. 4 is an enlarged end elevation of our improved sealing device attached to a folding ma- 30 chine, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is another enlarged sectional elevation of our machine taken along the line B-i of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is an end sectional elevation of our sealing device taken along the line 6 0 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 'I is a side elevation of our improved sealing device taken along the line 1--1 of Fig. 10 40 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the same taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a detailed section taken along the line 45 8 9 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 10 is a section of our improved sealing mechanism taken along the line Il-Il of Fig.'5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Like reference characters in the various ngures of the drawings in the following description will serve to designate like parts throughout.

The reference character I I designates generally a well known Cleveland folding machine. ss

which is provided with the usual driving motor I2 feeding mechanism |3 and diagonally placed feeding rollers\|4 for feeding the sheets to be folded in the direction of the folding mechanism Il. The folding machine is also provided with an automatic trip |8 which is operative to stop the machine in the 'event the/ pneumatic feed I3 places or feeds two of the/sheets to be folded in at atime. Our sealing mechanism indicated generally by the reference character I1 comprises a metal frame indicated generally by the reference character I8 of a general rectangular shape, the side members I9 of which are provided with outwardly extending flanges 28 adapted to rest upon angles 2| suitably secured to the main folder frame 23.

A cross angle member 24 is suitably secured to the side members I9 of the sealing machine frame |8 or formed integrally therewith.

The folding machine I I is provided with a feeding roller 25 toward the end thereof having a'spur gear 28 attached to one of its ends and adapted to mesh with a spur gear 21 secured to another feed roller 28 rotatable in bearings provided in the main folder frame 23. A bracket 29 suitably secured to the main folder frame 23 supports a folding element 30 comprising a pair of plates 3| and 32 suitably spaced by a spacing member 33 and provided with slots 34 therein to reduce the friction of the paper.

The spacing member 33 is provided with adjustable V-shaped stops 35 to stop the upward travel of the paper. The lower edges of the two plates 3| and 32 are flared outwardly, as at 38 and 31 to guide the paper in the direction of the stop 35. The gear 21 on the roller 28 also meshes with a spur gear 38 suitably securedto a feeding roller 38, which is rotatable on bearings in the main folder frame 23. The spur gear 38 meshes with a spur gear 40 secured to a feeding roller 4| mounted upon a shaft 42 rotatable in bearings in the main folder frame 23.

The spur gear 48 is adapted to mesh with a gear 43 suitably splined on a shaft 44 rotatable in bearings in the main frame 23.

The shaft 44 rotates in a pivoted bracket 45 secured to the main frame so that the gear 43 may be adjusted to a certain extent.

The spur gear 43 is adapted to mesh with a spur gear 48 secured to a shaft 41 rotatable in bearings in the sealing device frame I8. 'Ihe shaft 41 carries a feeding roller 48 suitably affixed thereto. `This feeding roller may be a tube of metal or other desired material secured to the shaft 41 in any desired manner.

A second feeding roller 49 is mounted upon a shaft 58 in any suitable manner directly above the feeding roller 48. The shaft 50 rotates in Vbearings 5| (Fig. 6) carried in brackets 52 secured to the frame |8 of the sealing device.

The bearings 5| are adjustably or resiliently mounted in the brackets 52 so that by movement of wing nuts such as 53, the spacing between the two feed rollers 48 and 49 may be controlled.

The shaft 41 is provided at its far end with a sprocket 54 around which passes a chain 55 which also passes around a sprocket 56 suitably secured to a shaft 51 rotatable in bearings 58 and 59 in the sealing frame I8. The shaft 41 is also pro vided with a v-grooved sheave or pulley 8| suitably secured thereto over which a V-belt 82 is adapted to run, which extends to another V- grooved pulley or sheave 83 suitably secured to a shaft 84 rotatable in bearings in the sealing device frame I8.

The shaft u is provided with s. second v- 'grooved pulley or sheave 88 over which a V- shaped belt 10 runs and which is also led over another V-grooved sheave 1| suitably amxed to a shaft 12 rotatable in bearings 13 and 14 secured 5 to the sealing device frame I8.

The shafts 84 and 12 are each provided with feeding rollers 15 and 18 respectively. Upper feeding rollers 11 and 18 secured to shafts 18 and 88 are mounted directly above the feeding rollers 15 and 18 and are rotatable in bearings, adjustably and resiliently mounted in brackets secured to the sealing frame I8 in the same manner as the rollerv 4previously described. Wing nuts 8| and 82 serve to bring about the adjustment of the upper rollers 11 and 18 in the same manner as before. The frame I8 of the feeding device is provided with cross members 83 and 84. The cross member 84 is provided with a bracket 85 having an extension 88 carrying a guide shoe 81 20 in its front end (See Fig. 5).

A pivoted bracket 88 mountedA upon a shaft 88 secured in bearings in the .extension 88 is provided with a tape stopping member 98 in its lower end suitably affixed thereto by means of vscrews 25 9|. The stopping member 98 is provided with` a lip 82 having a downwardly extending ange 93 (See Fig. 5). 'I'he pivoted bracket 88 is provided with an extension 94 abutting a stop 95 integrally formed in the extension 88. 'I'he wooden 30 cross members 83 and 84 support guide plates 88 and 81 having downwardly depressed edges 98 adjacent the feeding rollers v48 and 49, 15 and 11 and 18 and 18 for the purpose of guiding the folder through the rollers.

The shaft 88 also carries a sprocket 99 (Fig. 2) suitably splined thereto over which runs a chain |08 engaging a sprocket |8| keyed to a shaft |82 rotating in bearings secured in the main sealing device frame |8. The shaft |02 has a belt driving roller |03 suitably secured thereto. A belt |04 extends around pulleys |05, |08 and |01 and also around a spacing rod |08. 'I'he spacing rod |88 is provided with a rotatable sleeve |08 and is secured to the main sealing frame I8.

The pulley |05 is mounted upon a shaft ||0 rotatable in bearings in the main sealing frame I8. Pulleys |88 and |01 are similarlyl mounted upon shafts and ||2, respectively. A feeding roller II3 suitably affixed to a shaft ||4 is 50 mounted directly below the pulley I 05. The shaft |I4 is rotatable in bearings slideably mounted in brackets secured to the main sealing frame I8 and `provided with springs |41 and adjusting screws |48 (Fig. 6) for adjusting the spacing between 55 the belt |84 and the feeding roller I I3.

The feeding roller I I3 is mounted in friction contact with the belt |84 so as to be driven thereby. A rubber faced contact roller ||5 is suitably secured to the shaft 51. Brackets |I8 and ||1 60 are suitably secured to the cross member 24 of the main sealing frame and extend outwardly therefrom to support a reversing panel ||8.

Reversing panel ||8 consists of a pair of metal plates ||9 and |28 (Fig. 2) having outwardly flar- 65 ing edges |2| and |22 adjacent the said rollers 18 and 18 suitably spaced apart 4and held in position by a spacing member |23, the whole being supported by the brackets ||8 and ||1, which are suitably secured by bolts and screws to the lower plate |28. The plates ||9 and |20 have openings |24 therein for the purpose of reducing the friction with the folder.

An electrical contact making device |25 is mounted in one of the openings |24 adjacent the 75 feeding side of the machine. The contact making device |25 comprises a bracket |26 adjustably clamped by a thumb screw |21 to the plate ||9 and carrying a resiliently mounted contact member |28 therein. The contact making member |28 is supported upon a shaft |29 slideably mounted against the tension of the compression spring |30 on the bracket |26. The shaft |29 is provided at its lower end with a V-shaped member |3| filling the space between the plates ||9 and |20. The bracket |26 is provided with an extension |32 which carries a contact member |33 adjacent the contact making member |26. Electrical connection may be made to the contact member |28 and the contact member |33 by wires |34 and |35.

It will be understood, of course, that any suitable electrical contacting device may be substituted for the one described.

A feeding roller |50 is mounted upon a shaft |5| in the main sealing device frame I8 adjacent the feeding roller 16, and driven thereby.- The shaft |5| is rotatable in bearings |52 resiliently and adjustably mounted in brackets |53 secured to the main sealing frame |8. The feeding roller |50 is thus similarly mounted to the feeding rollers 49, 11 and 18.

The cross angle 24 of the main sealing frame carries an auxiliary frame |36 suitably clamped thereto by means of a supporting bracket |31 having a recess |38 adapted to iit the upstanding edge of the cross member 24 and screw threaded to receive a thumb screw |39. The auxiliary frame |36 comprises a metal cast-ing having side members |4| and certain cross members |42. The two side members |4| are provided with U- shaped depressions at their ends |43 to provide a bearing for a shaft |44 supporting va spool |45 carrying a roll of gummed sealing tape |46. A contact roller |56 having a flared surface |51 is suitably mounted upon a shaft |58. The shaft |58 is rotatable in bearings |58 in the auxiliary frame |36. The shaft |58 is provided with a cam member |60 suit-ably ailixed thereto (see Fig. 5) which is employed for actuating the knife to cut the gummed sealing tape. The shaft |58 is provided at its outer end with a hub member |6| suitably secured thereto and having formed as an integral part thereof a counter Weight |62 and a bell crank extension |63 (see Fig. '1).

The bell crank extension |63 is provided with a slot |64 therein to carry a crank arm |65 -which is adjustably clamped therein by means of a screw |66. The contact wheel |56 has inwardly projecting stops |61 formed as an integral part thereof. A sliding latching member |68 is slidably mounted in a bracket |69 suitably attached to the auxiliary frame |36 adapted to engage the stop |61. The latching member |68 is provided with an extension |10 abutting a compression spring |1| also mounted in the bracket |59. The latching member |68 is provided at its opposite end with a yoke |12 which is used to secure the latching member to the core |13 of the sol-enoid |14 suitably mounted on the auxiliary frame |36. A member |15 is provided for adjusting the movement of the core |13 and the movement of the latching member As before stated, the rotatable movement of the crank arm |63 brings about a reciprocating movement of the connecting rod |65. The connecting rod is pivotally secured by means of a bolt |16 to a disc |11 and forming a bearing for the connecting rod |65. The disc |11 forms part of a one-way clutch mechanism |18. The disc 11 forms part of theclutch housing and is secured by means of screws |19 to a housing member |60 which is rotatable freely on a shaft |8|. The shaft |8| carries a cam member |82 suitably splined thereto having pockets |83 into which roller clutch members |84 are placed.

By reason 'of the construction of the pockets |83, the clutch housing can rotate' in a counter clock-wise direction (Fig. '1) without turning the shaft, while its movement in a clockwise direction will bring about a turning movement of the shaft |8|.

A washer |65 is secured to the end of the shaft |8| by means of a bolt |86 to hold the clutch4 assembly |18 in place. The shaft I 8| rotates in bearings in the auxiliary housing |36. The shaft |8| is provided with a feeding roller |81 suitably secured thereto. The feeding roller |81 may be provided with -a face |88 of rubber or other suitable material. A spur gear |89 is suitably secured to the shaft |8| and meshes with a spur gear |90 aillxed to a shaft |9| rotating in bearings provided in the auxiliary frame |36.

The shaft 9| is also provided with a feeding roller |92 which may be provided with a face of rubber or other suitable material |93 and is in close abutting rel-ation with the feeding roller |81 or in contact therewith.

The spur gear |89 is in mesh with a pinion gear |94 rotatably mounted upon a stud shaft |95 secured to the auxiliary frame |36. The pinion |94 meshes with a spur gear |95 secured to a shaft |96 rotatable in bearings in the auxiliary fr-ame |36. The shaft |96 is provided with a watering and feeding roller |91 suitably affixed thereto. This watering and feeding roller may be made of metal and provided with raised rings |98 of rubber or other suitable material held frictionally in position thereon.

'I'he spur gear |95 meshes with the spur gear |99 secured to a shaft 200 rotatable in bearings in the auxiliary frame |36. The shaft 200 carries a feeding roller 20| constructed of metal or other suitable material and provided with spaced apart ring members 202 of rubber or of other suitable material in frictional contact with the rubber rings |98 as may be seen in Fig. 10. The cooperating rubber rings on the rollers |91 and 20| respectively form spaces therebetween into which opposed fiat guide wires 203 and 204 respectively, are placed.

The guide wires 204 associated with the roller |91 are` mounted vupon a frame 205 suitably secured to the auxiliary frame |36. In a like manner, a frame 206 supports the guide wires 203 associated with the roller 20|. The shafts 9| and 200 are carried upon a detachable section 201 of the auxiliary frame |36. The detachable section 201 is secured to the auxiliary frame by pins 208 on either side of the detachable frame which cooperate with straps 209 secured to the auxiliary frame. A second pair of straps 2|0 is bolted to the detachable section 201 and each carries an extension projecting over the auxiliary frame 36 having a tubular boss 2| formed integrally therewith.

The tubular boss 2|| is screw threaded at its outer end and contains an adjustment screw 2 l2. The adjustment screw 2|2 provides a seat for a compression spring 2|3 Which-bears against a metal ball 2|4 cooperating with a V-shaped depression 2|5 in the auxiliary frame |36.

, The detachable frame 291, as before stated, car.

ries a' similar member 2|0 on each side. (See Figs. 7, 8 and 9.) It will be seen that this construction permits the detachable section 201 of the auxiliary frame to be readily removed. A slight pull on the gear member |90 will release the balls 2 I4 from the depressions 2I5 and permit swinging movement of the detachable section. The section may then be pulled from the position in the strap members 209 and access obtained to the interior of the feeding rollers on the shafts |96 and `I8|. It will be remembered that the frame 206 containing the guide wires 203 is secured to the detachable section so that the guide wire frames are also divided.

The spur gear |95 also meshes with the spur gear 2 I6 secured to a shaft 2 I1 rotatable in bearings in the auxiliary frame |36. The shaft 2|1 is provided with a watering wheel 2|8 suitably secured thereto. The watering wheel is provided with a wide surface supported upon a narrow web 2I9. A pin 220 penetrating an opening in the shaft 2I1 serves to hold it in position. The watering wheel 2|8 may be constructed of metal or other suitable material and is provided with a surface 22| of felt or other similar material. An opening 222 is provided in the surface of the watering wheel 2| 8 to permit access to the pin 220.

A water container 223 is mounted immediately below the watering wheel on the auxiliary frame |36 by means of a bracket 224 supported on the cross member |42. Suitable connections may be made for filling and draining the water pan.

A knife bar frame 225 is slideably supported in V-shaped grooves 226 formed in the auxiliary frame |36. The knife bar frame 225 is provided with an upturned extension 221 (Fig. 8) to which is fastened a block 228. A knife blade 229 is suitably secured to the block 228 by means of screws 230. The knife frame 225 is provided with inward extensions or bosses 23| (see Fig. 10). The bosses 23| provide bearings for a shaft 232 carrying a roller 233 which bears against the cam member |60.

A pair of compression springs 234 seat against the bosses 23| and also on brackets 235 secured to the auxiliary frame |36. The compression springs 234 thus urge the knife frame and the roller 233 against the cam member |60. A stationary knife block 236 is suitably secured to the auxiliary frame |36 and carries a stationary knife 231 suitably held in place by means of screws 238 and adapted to cooperate with the movable knife 229. 'I'he auxiliary frame |36 is provided with extensions 239 which serve as guiding members for the folders in cooperation with the guide shoe 81. Idling and guiding rollers 240 and 24| are mounted upon shafts 242 and 243 rotatably mounted in bearings in the auxiliary frame |36 and serve as guides for a strip of gummed tape 244 which is fed from the roll I 46.

The gummed tape is led over the rollers 240 and 24| between the feeding rollers |81 and |92 between the guide wires 203 and 204 and feeding rollers |91 and 20| to the cooperating knife blades 229 and 231.

The tape stopping member 90 has a lip 92 which cooperates with the inclined surface of the block 228 carrying the moving knife blade to form the tape into a V-shape as a segment thereof is cut.

Having described the detailed mechanical construction of an embodiment of our invention, we shall now explain its detailed operation. For this purpose, the operation from the time the sheet is fed into the folding machine'until the time it is delivered will be described.

The sheets, such as 245, are fed by the feeding mechanism I3 onto the rollers I4 where they are carried forward with their edges abutting the side of the folding machine by reason of the transverse position of the rollers I4 into the rollers 25 and 28. The edge of the sheet to be folded is then fed into the folding panel 30 where it encounters the stop 35 causing the sheet to bend and to be fed between the rollers 28 and 39. This causes the sheet to be folded once and guided by a deflector 39 between rollers 39 and 4|. It will be understood, of course, that depending upon the construction and manner in which the folding machine I is adjusted, any number of additional folds may be made, in substantially the same manner as there illustrated.

After the sheet 245 has been folded into a folder` 248, it is fed by the rollers 39 and 4| between the rollers 48 and 49 of the main sealing device frame 23, the folded edge coming first, the feeding rollers 48 and 49, 15 and 11 and 16 and 18 serving to feed the folder 248 forward, and the folder 248 being supported between the rollers by the plates 96 and 91. 'I'he folder is fed by the rollers 16 and 18 into the reversing panel II8 where the folded edge of the folder encounters the stop 3| and brings about the engagement of the contact making member |28 with the contact member |33. The folder then falls both by the action of the compression spring |30 and by gravity guided by the flaring edge 2| between the feeding rollers 16 and |50, the roller 16 also assisting the movement. The feeding rollers 16 and |50 serve to feed the folder with its open edge forward between the guide shoe 81 and the extensions 239 of the auxiliary frame |36 toward the V-shaped sealing tape which is held in position by the sealing shoe 90 and the block 228.

The manner in which the tape is caused to assume this position will now be described. This operation occurs responsive to the closure of the contact members |28 and |33 whereby a circuit is completed for the solenoid |14. The solenoid |14 is energized to attract its core |13 against the compression of the spring |1I and withdraws the latching member |68 from engagement with the latch |51. The counter weight |62 then turns the shaft |58 so that the driven roller or wheel |56 is turned to bring its circular surface into contact with the driving wheel I I5. As soon as the folder starts its downward motion into the feeding rollers I6 and |50, the contact members are opened and the solenoid |14 is de-energized and the spring |1| operates to again place the latching member |68 in such position to engage the stop |61 on the wheel |56 after it has completed one revolution.

The driving wheel II is operating constantly as a result of the operation 'of the motor I2 through the various driving connections and gears previously described in the mechanical construction of our invention. The rotation of the shaft 58 will continue through one revolution or until the attened surface |51 is again adjacent the driving wheel I I5. 'I'he turning movement of the shaft |58 also turns the cam |60 so that the movable knife frame or carriage 225 is forced to the left sliding in the V-grooves 226 in the auxiliary frame I 36 and compressing the springs 234. This movement of the knife carrying frame 225 brings the lower knife 229 in such position that the gummed tape 244 can be fed upwardly between the knives 229, 231 to the lip 92 by the rollers |81, |92, |91 and 20|. The movement of the shaft |58 reciprocates the connecting rod |65. 'I'he preliminary movement of the connecting rod is such that a contra-clockwise rotation of the clutch casing comprising the members |11 and |80 occurs and no motion is transmitted to the shaft |8|. When the cam |60 has moved the carriage 225 over in such position that the movement of the tape in an upward direction can occur, the connecting rod |65 is moved in the opposite direction and\the clutch casing brings about the clockwise rotation of the shaft |8| through the clutch rollers |84. The movement of the shaft I8| by reason of the gear connections previously described brings about rotation of the shafts ISI, |96, 200 and 2|1. In other words, the rollers |81, |92, |91 and 20| are rotated to feed the gummed tape 244 upwardly into the groove formed by the lip 92. As the tape moves upwardly, the watering wheel 2 I 8 is rotated and since its surface is formed of felt, a certain amount of water moistens the roller |91.

The roller |91 is not in direct contact with the watering wheel 2|8 but the contact is made by means of the spaced apart rubber rings |98. Consequently, the gummed surface of the tape which faces the roller |91 is moistened in parallel strips where the rings |98 engage the surface thereof. The guide wires 203 and 204 serve to guide the tape as it moves upwardly into the 1i 92.

DThe movement of the tape causes it to lie on the inclined plane formed by the shoe 90. The continued rotation of the shaft |58, then brings about the movement of the connecting rod |65 in the opposite direction so that the upward movement of the tape ceases.

The further rotation of the shaft |58 finally brings the cam |60 in such position that the movable knife carriage 225 can move to its original position under the influence of the compression springs 234. This movement of the knife carriage 225 carries the movable knife blade |29 across the fixed knife blade 231 with the tape interposed thereby, shearing or cutting the tape.

The movement of the inclined surface of the block 228 toward the block 236 forms the tape that has been cut off into a V-shape (see Fig. 5). Shortly thereafter, the edges of the folder 248 come to the bottom of the V and the forward movement of the folder 245 as a result of the feeding action of the feeding rollers 16 and |50 cause the folder to pass between the opposed seal applying surfaces of shoe 90 and block 228 which furnishes the folder with the seal 241 that has been cut off between the 'sealing shoe 90 and the block. By the pressure between these two surfaces, the seal is securely applied on the folder 248 over the open leading edge thereof and serves to hold said edge closed in an abvious manner. The reason for applying the water to the gummed tape in strips is so that if there is any excess water applied to the tape along these strips, it will serve to moisten the intervening surface.

At the same time, as the strip is guided by the wires 204 and 203, it is not moistened where these wires are in contact with the gummed surface and there is less tendency for any adhesion of the tape to the wires. The bearing surface formed between the block 228 and the sealing shoe 90 may be controlled by gravity or by a spring about the shaft 89 and bearing against the brackets 86 and 88 in an obvious manner.

The shape of the surface of the shoe 90 and the block 228 is so arranged that the edges of the sheets constituting the folder are first secured at the deepest portion of they-shaped seal and then the sides thereof are applied. The folder 248 is then fed between the conveying roller H3 and the belt |04 being guided by the belt |04 about the feeding roller |03 and conveyed by the belt |04 into a delivery chute or container 246 (see Fig. 2).

It will be seen that the roller |03 has a rather large diameter so that the turning radius of the folder 248 is quite long so that there will be no y distortion of its edges adjacent the seal 241 which has been applied.

It will be seen that as each folder 248 is fed into the reversing panel .,II8, one revolution is given the shaft |58 and the gummed tape 244 is fed forward, watered and cut off, forming a. seal 241, which is placed in position to receive the open ends of the folder 248 and after the folder has been sealed, it is fed forward and delivered. Our improved device will, therefore, seal the folders as rapidly as they are folded and fed into the mechanism. The gummed tape unwinds from the roll |46 which may be replaced when it is used, in an obvious manner.

Attention is directed to the fact that because of the removable section 201 upon which the rollers |93 and 20| are mounted as well as the guide frame 205, if there is any tendency for the tape to become clogged, access may be readily obtained to it with a minimum of effort. In other words, after the machine is run for some time andis stopped, a certain amount of water may be collected on the guide wires and dried, causing the tape to adhere thereto. This may be remedied by removing the section -2'01' and cleaning the guide wires and rollers.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the sealing mechanism itself is mounted upon the auxiliary frame |36 clamped in position by the clamping screw |39 so that it may be readily removed and another one substituted. Furthermore, the whole sealing mechanism including the feeding rollers, is mounted upon a frame 23 which can be very readily attached to the folding mechanism, at any convenient point, whether in the position shown or on the angles 249 and 250 to the side of the folding machine, depending upon the number of folds that y0u desire to make.

The auxiliary frame |36 can be moved upon the upstanding angle 24 in any position to bring about the desired placing of the seal, depending upon the size of the folder. y

While we have shown an embodiment of our improved sealing machine as an attachment to a well known folder, it will be obvious, of course, that it may be constructed as a separate machine and the folders fed separately thereto instead of directly from the folding machine. However, when it is employed as an attachment to the folding machine, the sealing is accomplished in one operation and considerable apparatus, including the power drive and feeding mechanism, is common to both machines, thereby greatly reducing the cost of each.

While we have described a certain specific embodiment of our invention, we are aware that many modifications, changes and departures may be made therefrom, without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a set of three driven rollers, means at one side thereof for receiving a folded product from two of the rollers with a closed folded edge of the product leading, mechanism for applying a seal on said product over an opposite open edge thereof, and devices including one of said two rollers and the third roller for delivering the product from said means to said mechanism with said open edge leading.

2. In a machine of the character described, a set of three parallel rollers, means at one side thereof for receiving a folded product from two of the rollers with a. closed folded edge of the product leading, mechanism for applying a seal on said product over an opposite open edge thereof, means for driving the rollers and operating the seal applying mechanism, and devices including one of said two rollers and the third roller for delivering the product from said first named means to said mechanism with said open edge leading.

3. In a machine of the character described, a set of three driven rollers from two of which a folded product is delivered with a closed folded edge thereof leading, mechanism at one side of the set of rollers for applying a. seal on said product over an opposite open edge thereof, devices for receiving the product from the two driven rollers and disposed on the opposite side of said set, and means for delivering the product to the seal applying mechanism from said devices with said open edge leading, said last named means including one of said two rollers, the third roller, and mechanism for advancing the product therebetween.

4. In a machine of the character described, a set of three driven rollers, mechanism at one side thereof for applying a seal on a folded product over an open edge thereof, means at the opposite side of said set for receiving the folded product with an opposite closed folded edge thereof leading, and devices including an ejector, one of said two rollers, and the third roller for substantially reversing the direction of travel of the folded product and feeding it from said means to said mechanism with said open edge of said product leading.

5. In a machine of the character described, a set of three driven rollers, mechanism at one side thereof for producing a seal and applying it on a folded product over an open edge thereof, feeding and supporting means at opposite side of said set and to which the folded product is delivered from two of the rollers with an opposite closed folded edge thereof leading, and de` vices including one of said two rollers and the third roller receiving the folded product from said means, said devices being adapted to substantially reverse the direction of travel of the folded product and feed it to said mechanism with said open edge leading.

6. In a machine of the character described, a pair of rollers from which a folded product is delivered with a closed folded edge thereof leading, feeding means including one of said two rollers and a third roller and to which the folded product is delivered with an opposite open edge thereof leading, means for receiving the product from said pair of rollers and delivering it to said feeding means with said open edge leading, and means for thereafter applying a seal on the product over the open leading open edge thereof.

7. In a machine of the character described, a pair of rollers from which a folded product is delivered with a closed folded edge thereof leading, feeding means including one of said pair of rollers and a third roller and to which the folded for applying a seal on said product over an opposite open edge thereof, devices for delivering the product from said means to the seal applying mechanism with said open edge leading, and

operating means for said mechanism controlled if by the product during travel of said machine.

9. In a machine of the character described, means for receiving a folded product with a closed the same through folded edge thereof leading, mechanism for pro- 2Q ducing a seal and applying it on said product over an opposite open edge thereof, devices for delivering the product from said means to the seal producing and applying mechanism with said open edge leading, means for operating the 2" seal producing and applying mechanism, and mechanism controlled by the folded product and controlling the operation of said last named means.

l0. In a machine of the character described, means for receiving and feeding a folded product in one direction with a closed folded edge thereof leading, a device along which the folded product is fed in said direction by said means, said device being positioned to provide for delivery of the folded product therefrom in the opposite direction clear of the receiving and feeding means and with an opposite open edge of the product leading, and mechanism for receiving the product from said device and applying a seal on said 4 product over the open leading edge thereof.

11. In a machine of the character described, means for receiving and feeding a folded product in one direction with a closed folded edge thereof leading, a stop engaged by said closed 4.

folded edge when the product is fed thereto, a device along which the folded product is fed in said direction to said stop by the receiving and feeding means, said device being positioned to provide for delivery of the folded product therefrom in the opposite direction past said means and with an opposite open edge of the product leading, and mechanism for receiving the product from said device and producing a seal and applying it on said product over the leading open 5 edge thereof.

l2. In a machine of the character described, two rollers for receiving and feeding a folded product in one direction with a closed folded edge thereof leading, an inclined device spaced from the receiving and feeding rollers and along which the folded product is fed thereby in said direction and then delivered in the opposite direction with an opposite open edge of said product leading, mechanism for applying a seal on the prod- G5 l uct over the open leading edge thereof, and means including one of said two rollers and a third roller for feeding the product from said device to said mechanism with said open edge leading.

13. In a machine of the character described, two rollers for receiving and feeding a folded product in one direction with a closed folded edge thereof leading, a device spaced from the receiving and feeding rollers and along which the product is fed thereby in said direction, 75

means including a third roller for feeding the product from the device in the opposite direction past one' of said first named rollers and with an opposite open edge of the product leading, and means for applying a seal on said product over the open leading edge thereof.

14. In a machine of the character described, supporting and feeding means on which a folded product is delivered and fed with a closed folded edge thereof leading, an inclined panel or receiver spaced from the delivery end of the'supporting and feeding means and along which the product is fed thereby with said edge leading, means for ejecting the product from the panel or receiver in the opposite direction clear of.

said first named means and with an opposite open edge of said product leading, and mechanism for applying a seal on said'product over the leading open edge thereof.

l5. Inv a machine of the character described, supporting and feeding means on which a folded product is delivered and fed with a closed folded edge thereof leading, an inclined panel or receiver spaced from the delivery end of the supporting and feeding means and along which the product is fed thereby with said edge leading, means for ejecting the product from the panel or receiver in the opposite direction clear of said first named means and with an opposite open edge of said product leading, means for feeding the product from the panel or receiver with said open edge leading, and mechanism for producing a seal and applying it on said product over the leading open edge thereof. l l

16. In a machine of the character described, means for supporting and feeding a folded product in one direction with a closed folded edge thereof leading, an inclined panel or receiver spaced from the supporting and feeding means and along which the product is fed thereby with said edge leading, reciprocating means for ejecting the product from the panel or receiver in the opposite direction clear of said supporting and feeding means and with an opposite open edge of said product leading, mechanism for producing a seal and applying it on the product over the leading open edge thereof, and means controlled through movement of said reciprocating means and controlling the operation of said mechanism.

17. In a machine of the character described, mechanism for producing a seal and applying it on a product, a source of power for operating the seal producing and applying mechanism, means for connecting said mechanism with and disconnecting the same from said source of power, an electrically operated device controlling the operation of said means, and means for controlling the operation of said electrically operated device through feeding of said product to the seal producing and applying mechanism.

18. In a machine of the character described, mechanism for producing a seal and applying it on a product, a source of power for operating the seal producing and applying mechanism, means for connecting said mechanism with and disconnecting the same from said source of power, an electrically operated device controlling the operation of said means, devices for moving the product in different directions during feeding thereof to the seal producing and applying mechanism, and means actuated by the product as it is moved in one of said directions, said last named means controlling the. operation of said electrically operated device.

19. In a machine of the character described,

mechanism for producing a seal and applying it on a product, a panel or receiver on which the product is moved in opposite directions during feeding of the same to the seal producing and applying mechanism, a source of power for operating the seal producing and applying mechanism, means for connecting said mechanism with and disconnecting the same from said source of power, an electrically operated device controlling the operation of said means, and means on said panel or receiver actuated by the product as it is moved thereon in one of said directions, said last named means controlling the operation of said electrically operated device.

20. In a machine of the character described, mechanism for producing a seal and applying it on a folded product, a panel or receiver on which the product is fed, means for feeding the product from the panel or receiver to said mechanism, an electrically operated device controlling the operation of the seal producing and applying mechanism, and means actuated by the product as it is fed on said panel or receiver, said last named means controlling the operation of said electrically operated device.

21. In combination, stationary and movable means arranged in spaced relation and formed to bend a seal, and means for feeding a product between said stationary and movable means to apply said seal on an edge portion of said product.

22. In combination, stationary and movable knives for cutting a seal from tape fed therebetween, a stop engaged by the leading edge of the tape when it is fed between the knives, and means for bending the seal in position for application thereof to an edge portion of a product fedbetween said knives and said stop.

23. In combination, stationary and movable knives, means for feeding tape therebetween, means for operating the movable knife whereby the tape may be fed as aforesaid and a seal Vcut therefrom by said knives, a stop device engaged by the leading end of the tape when it is'fed between the knives, means for bending the seal rendered effective by engagement of said tape end with the stop and cutting of the tape by said knives, and means for feeding a product between said stop and the movable knife to apply said seal on an edge portion of said product.

24. In combination, a stationary knife, a reciprocating frame having a knife movable toward and away from the stationary knife, means for feeding tape between the knives whereby the latter may cut seals from the tape, a stop engaged by the leading end of the tape when it is fed between said knives, and seal bending means on said stop and said frame. I

25. In combination, a stationary knife, a knife movable toward and away from the stationary knife, a driven shaft, connections between the driven shaft and the movable knife for reciprocating the latter, means for feeding tape between the knives whereby they may cut seals from said tape, means for moistening the tape, means for bending the seals, and connections between said shaft and said tape feeding means for intermitth'ereof leading and for continuously maintaining a side edge of the product parallel with the Ipath of movement of said product from said receiving means to said mechanism.

27. In a machine of the character described, means for receiving a folded product with a closed folded edge thereof leading, mechanism for applying a seal on the product over an opposite open edge thereof, devices for delivering the prod-uct from the receiving means to the seal applying mechanism with said open edge leading and for continuously maintaining a side edge of the product parallel with the path of travel of said product from said receiving means to the seal applying mechanism, and means controlled by the product for operating said seal applying mechanism.

28. In a machine of the character described, mechanism for applying a seal on a product centrally over an open edge thereof, mechanism for receiving the product with an opposite closed folded edge thereof leading and including rotatable means, and devices including rotatable means parallel with said first named means for receiving the product from said last named mechanism with said closed folded edge leading and for delivering said product to the seal applying mechanism with said open edge leading. v

29. In a machine of character described, mechanism for applying a seal on a product over an open edge thereof, mechanism for receiving the product with an opposite closed folded edge thereof leading and including a pair of driven parallel rollers, means including one of said rollers and a third driven roller parallel therewith for receiving the product from said last named mechanism with said closed folded edge leading and for delivering said product to the seal applying mechanism with said open edge leading, and means controlled by the product for operating said seal applying mechanism.

30. In a machine of the character described, mechanism for applying a seal on a folded product over an open edge thereof; means for receiving and feeding the folded product with an opposite closed folded edge thereof leading; inclined means along which the product is fed by said first named means with said closed edge leading, means for reversing the direction of movement of the product on the inclined means so that the product travels thereon with the opposite open edge thereof leading; and means, including rotatable elements, for delivering said product from said inclined means to said mechanism with said open edge leading.

31. In a machine of the character described, means for receiving a folded product with a closed folded edge thereof leading and comprising two rollers rotatable about parallel axes, a set of rollers parallel with the axes of rotation of said first named rollers and including one of the same, means for receiving the product from said first named means with said closed folded edge thereof leading and for delivering the product to said set of rollers with an opposite open edge leading, mechanism to which the product is delivered from the set of rollers with said open edge leading, and means forming part of said mechanism for applying a seal on the product over the open leadingedge thereof.

32. In a machine of the character described, a set of two driven rollers for receiving a folded product with a closed folded edge thereof leading, a set of two driven rollers parallel with said first named rollers and including one of the same,

means for receiving the folded product from the first set of rollers with said folded edge leading and for delivering said product to the second set of rollers with an opposite open edge leading, and mechanism for applying a seal on said product 5 over the open leading edge thereof.

33. In sealing apparatus for use with a sheet folding machine having mechanism from which a folded product is delivered with a closed edge thereof leading, means adapted to be mounted on the folding machine for receiving the product from said mechanism with said closed edge leading and for delivering the product with an opposite open edge thereof leading, and mechanism adapted to be mounted on said folding machine for receiving the product from said receiving and delivering means with the open edge aforesaid of the product leading and for applying a seal on said product over said open edge thereof.

34. In sealing apparatus for use with a sheet 20 folding machine having mechanism from which a folded product is delivered with a closed edge thereof leading, mechanism for applying a seal on an opposite open edge of the product and adapted to be mounted on the folding machine 25 in spaced relation with the first named mechanism, and means adapted to be mounted on said machine between said mechanisms for receiving the product from the first named mechanism with said closed edge of the product leading and fo-r delivering said product to said seal applying mechanism with said open edge of the product leading.

35. In sealing apparatus for use with a sheet folding machine having mechanism from which a folded product is delivered with a closed edge thereof leading, mechanism adapted to be mounted on the folding machine and comprising means for feeding a gummed strip from a roll, means for moistening said strip, means for separating a seal from the moistened strip, and means for applying said seal on the product over an opposite open edge thereof, and means adapted to be mounted on said folding machine for receiving the product from said first named mechanism with said closed edge of the product leading and for delivering said product to said seal applying means with said open edge of the product leading.

36. In sealing apparatus for use with a sheet fold machine having mechanism from which a folded product is delivered with a closed edge thereof leading, a panel or receiver adapted to be mounted on the folding machine, means adapt-l ed to be mounted on said machine for receiving the folded product from said mechanism and delivering the product along the panel or receiver with said closed edge of the product leading, mechanism adapted to be mounted on the folding machine for applying a seal on the product over an opposite open edge thereof, and means adapted to be mounted on the folding machine for delivering the product from said panel or receiver to said seal applying mechanism with said open edge of the product leading.

37. In sealing apparatus for use with a sheet G5 folding machine having mechanism from which a folded product is delivered with a closed edge thereof leading, means adapted to be mounted on the folding machine for receiving the product from said mechanism with said closed edge of the product leading and for delivering the product with an opposite open edge thereof leading, mechanism adapted to be mounted on the folding machine for receiving the product from said receiving and delivering means with the open edge aforesaid of the product leading and for applying Cal a seal on said product over said open edge thereof, and means controlled by the product through movement thereof and controlling the operation of said last named mechanism.

38. In sealing apparatus for use with a sheet folding machine having mechanism from which a folded product is delivered with a closed edge thereof leading, means adapted to be mounted on the folding machine for receiving the product from said mechanism with said closed edge of the product leading and for delivering the product with an opposite open edge thereof leading, and mechanism adapted to be mounted on said folding machine for receiving the product from said receiving and delivering means with the open edge aforesaid of the product leading and for applying a seal on ysaid product over said open edge thereof, said last named mechanism being adapted for adjustment laterally of the folding machine to accommodate products of various widths and insure application of seals to the open edges thereof at any desired position therealong- 39. In apparatus of the character described, means for feeding a strip gummed on one side thereof, means served thereby for bending a gummed seal so that gummed portions thereof are faced toward each other in angular relation, means for cutting the seal off the leading end of said strip when the seal is about to be bent as aforesaid, means for applying the seal on a folded product over an edge thereof and aiiixing the opposed gummed portions of the seal on opposite sides of said product, and means for feeding the product to the bending. and supporting means, between said opposed gummed portions of the seal, and through said applying and afiixing means, with said edge of the product leading.

40. In apparatus of the character described. driven rollers for feeding a strip and moistening a gummed side thereof, means served by said rollers for bending a gummed seal so that gummed portions thereof are faced toward each other in angular relation, a reciprocating knife for cutting the seal of! the leading end of said strip when the seal is about to be bent as aforesaid, means for applying the seal on a folded product over an edge thereof and aflixlng the opposed gummed portions of the seal on opposite sides of said product, and means for feeding the product through the bending and supporting means, between said opposed gummed portions of the seal, and through said applying and amxing means. with said edge of the product leading.

41. In feeding and sealing apparatus for use in folding machines, a frame adapted to be mounted on the folding machine opposite mechanism thereof from which a folded product is delivered, means on the frame for bending a seal and applying it on the product over an edge thereof, means on the frame for supplying the seal to the bending and applying means, and means on said 5 frame for receiving the folded product and feeding said product into the bent seal and through said bending and applying means with said edge of the product leading.

42. In feeding and sealing apparatus for use in l folding machines, a frame adapted to be mounted on the folding machine opposite mechanism thereof from which a folded product is delivered, devices on the frame for supporting a gummed seal and bending it so that gummed yportions l thereof are faced toward each other in angular relation, means on the frame for supplying the seal to the seal supporting and bending devices, means on the frame for applying the seal on the product over an edge thereof and aiixing the vopposed gummed portions of the seal on opposite sides of the product, and means on said frame for feeding the product through the seal supporting and bending means, into the bent seal, and through said applying and ailixing means, with said edge of the product leading.

43. In feeding and sealing apparatus for use on folding machines, a frame adapted to be mounted in the folding machine opposite mechanism thereof from which folded products are delivered, means on the frame for bending seals successively and applying them in like manner on the folded products over corresponding edges thereof, means on the frame for supplying the seals one after another to the bending and applying means, and means on said frame for receiving the products successively and feeding them in like manner into` successive bent seals and through said bending and applying means with said edges leading.

44. In feeding and sealing apparatus for use on folding machines, a frame adapted to be mounted on the folding machine opposite mechanism thereof from which a folder is delivered, means on the frame for bending a seal and applying it on the folder over an edge thereof, driven means on the frame for supplying the seal to the bending and applying means, means on the frame for receiving the folder and feeding said folder into the gummed seal and through said bending and applying means with said-edge of the folder leading, means for driving the'folder feeding means,

RAY OHLSEN. 

